Winterfest is on through Feb. 5
Update: Opening events, Broomball, Vaccine Clinic moved
January 27, 2023 | By Lisa Scagliotti 
Snow Soccer is larger than life at Winterfest 2022. Photo by Gordon Miller
UPDATE Jan. 27: Winterfest Broomball, originally scheduled for Saturday morning at Anderson Park will take place at Crossett Brook Middle School. The school will be open to warm up and for attendees to use the restrooms. The Waterbury Ambulance Service vaccine clinic will be inside the school as well, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Broomballers and fans can also take some early runs on the sledding hill ahead of Cougar Mountain sledding that starts at 12:30 p.m. Check WaterburyWinterfest.com for the most up-to-date schedule information.
UPDATE Jan. 25: Winterfest organizers have moved events originally planned for Anderson Park on Friday, Jan. 27, to Friday, Feb. 3. The skating party with ice jug curling, human bowling, a dance performance and refreshments are now planned for the second Friday of Winterfest, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
See details and links in the schedule below.
Original post from Jan. 21, 2023
Organizers of Waterbury Winterfest welcomed a fresh blanket of snow late this week as they count down to Friday’s opening ceremony that kicks off 10 days of wintry activities for all ages.
This year marks the 12th year for Winterfest and the schedule is gradually building back as organizers aim to return it to pre-pandemic offerings. “The key difference is that last year there were no indoor events,” said Winterfest President Roger Clapp.
After a scaled-back effort the past two years, leaders in recent weeks have been reconnecting with sponsors and recruiting new volunteers to run events. “We’re rebuilding, re-explaining, and ramping back up,” Clapp said.
Making snow angels for Wanderlust. File photo
The last “normal” Winterfest happened in 2020. The following year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, no events were scheduled to avoid gatherings. That year, organizers created the Wanderlust Challenge – a scavenger-hunt type activity that people could do on their own with family members or a few friends. A good response led organizers to keep and expand it in 2022 and again this year. The Winterfest website lists dozens of activities to complete and document with photos that participants then send in online to be eligible for weekly Wanderlust prize drawings. Wanderlust opened on Jan. 7 and continues through Feb. 4.
This year, organizers have returned a few indoor events such as the popular Wassailing competition where singing groups travel to several downtown restaurants and pubs to perform for patrons and judging teams. The final stop is the American Legion where winners are announced. The second weekend of Winterfest also features the Snow Ball dance with live music and a silent auction at Zenbarn. Get tickets for the dance ahead of time online.
As the schedule shifts back to its usual offerings, the community will find many outdoor events, some requiring advance registration for teams and participants such as Broomball and the Fun Run. New this year are Bocce at the Party in the Park on Feb. 4, Cougar Sledding at Crossett Brook Middle School on Jan. 28, and a life-sized game of Vermont Candyland with MakerSphere on Feb. 5.
The website WaterburyWinterfest.com has all of the details on how to take part in the Wanderlust Challenge and detailed events listings for Jan. 27-Feb. 5.
While many events are free, some have registration fees that help cover costs for Winterfest with the remainder put into a grant program that funds local organizations for recreation-related projects. Where possible, organizers appreciate participants registering for activities in advance in order to help with planning.
Waterbury Winterfest schedule
Friday, Jan. 27
4-6:30 p.m.: Wine tasting at the Wine Vault, 1 Elm St. Free.
Broomball at a past Waterbury Winterfest. File photo by Gordon Miller
Saturday, Jan. 28
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Broomball at Anderson Park with teams of 6-11 adults, kids. Like hockey, but no skates needed. Wear boots. Bring helmets. Equipment supplied. Prizes. Adults, $10; kids, $5; $50 team minimum. Details and team registration online.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Pop-Up COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinic run by Waterbury Ambulance Service at Anderson Park. No appointment needed. Free vaccines.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Classic Puzzles & Board Games at Waterbury Public Library for kids and adults. Hot chocolate and coffee served. Free.
11 a.m. to noon: Musical Munchkins at Dave’s Community Fitness. Music, movement, games geared for families with children up to age 6 (older siblings welcome). Free.
12:30 to 3 p.m.: Cougar Mountain Sledding at Crossett Brook Middle School. Primary and middle school kids and their families are invited to bring their sleds to the big hill and skates for the outdoor rink if conditions allow. Free.
Sunday, Jan. 29
Bill Minter and Georgiana Birmingham on the 2022 backcountry Descent expedition. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Winterfest Fun Run from Brookside Primary School. Walk or run a village loop up to 5K. Prizes. Registration at 11 a.m. for $5. Noon start.
Noon to 3 p.m.: Connector 10th Descent snowshoe/x-c ski tour from the Blush Hill Country Club along the Little River Connector Trail to a warm shuttle bus for the return ride back. $15 donation goes to VAST Green Mt. Roamers. Register online.
1 to 4 p.m.: Family Friendly Bingo at the Waterbury Area Senior Center. All ages. Hot dogs, sandwiches, snacks, chips, soft drinks and bottled water available for purchase. 50/50 raffle. $5 for six cards.
Tuesday, Jan. 31
8 to 9 a.m. Fitness Class - Intro to TRX at Dave’s Community Fitness. Personal trainer and fitness guru Joey Clark leads this Total Body Resistance Exercise class for up to eight participants. Bring a mat and water bottle. Register online. Free.
7 to 8:30 p.m. Winterfest Beer Quiz at Blackback Pub. Blind test six beers. $15 per flight. Winner receives a $50 gift certificate to Blackback Pub.
Wednesday, Feb. 1
5 to 8 p.m. Bluegrass Night at Prohibition Pig. Free. $5 beer specials.
Thursday, Feb. 2
6:15 to 9 p.m. Wassailing. The signature Winterfest event combines caroling, Vaudeville variety and entertainment by groups that rotate through participating venues. Judging teams at each stop score teams on five categories. Performances through 8 p.m. at Blackback Pub, Prohibition Pig Brewery, The Reservoir Tap Room, The Old Stagecoach Inn and American Legion Post 59 for the finale. Free. (Schedule is already full for performers.)
Friday, Feb. 3
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Family Skate Party at Anderson Park. Bring your own skates to the outdoor rink. Events originally scheduled for Jan. 27 have been rescheduled for this date. That includes Ice Jug Curling and Human Bowling games and a performance by Green Mountain Performing Arts Celtic Company dancers. One attendee will win a half-off discount for a GMPA summer camp, too. Refreshments, music, snowflake crafts inside the (warm) Rec building. Free.
Saturday, Feb. 4
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Party in the Park with Fat Tire Bike Demos at Rusty Parker Memorial Park. Bicycle Express and Pinnacle Sports provide a fleet of new demo fat bikes and tips from the pros for riding the groomed trails around the village and on Perry Hill. Free. Participants are entered into a drawing for a free future full-day rental.
12:30 to 2 p.m. Snow Soccer at the State Complex Horseshoe Field. For kids ages 6 to 16. Waterbury Youth Soccer and Capital Soccer volunteers will organize pickup games. Parents can watch by a warming fire or join Snow Volleyball nearby. By donation.
12:30 to 3 p.m. Snow Volleyball at Rusty Parker Memorial Park. All ages. Just join in. By donation.
1 to 4 p.m. First Winterfest Bocce Tournament at Rusty Parker Memorial Park. New this year. Sign up in teams of four. No prior experience necessary. $20 per team. Prizes. Register online.
7 to 11 p.m. Snow Ball Dance Party at Zenbarn. Live music by Still Kickin’. Cash bar. Food for purchase. Burton Snowboard raffle, silent auction with gift cards and items from local businesses. Tickets: $20. Buy tickets online in advance.
Sunday, Feb. 5
The Children’s Room sledding and snow party includes forts when the snow supply allows. File photo by Gordon Miller
10 a.m. to noon. Children’s Room Sledding Party the Waterbury Public Library. Bring a sled, a saucer, snow tube, etc. for the hill, shovels for making forts and sculptures. Join an eye-spy hunt in the garden. Snacks and warm beverages included. Free.
12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Snow Football at the State Complex Horseshoe. For ages 8 and up. Join in for this pick-up game of two-hand touch before the Super Bowl. Hot chocolate provided. Free.
3 to 5 p.m. VT Candyland with MakerSphere at the Waterbury Municipal Building’s Steele Community Room. MakerSphere runs a life-sized family-friendly version of the traditional game on an oversized gameboard with local sweet treats and prizes. Free.